A substantial binocular Microscope by W. Watson in it's original mahogany case from 1932. This is a beautiful microscope, appearing to be in good working order. The microscope is a magnificent piece of precision engineering and marked No 69804', the number allowing us to determine the date of manufacture precisely. There is a spare lens and a box of slides marked variously sponge, shrimp, crystal salt, paper fibres, butterfly scales, hair, starch grains, silk thread fibres, cotton fibres and bird feathers. The door lock is missing, as is the leather handle. Please note that the glass viewing platform has been replaced by transparent acrylic sheet.
 
W. Watson & Sons were opticians and camera makers trading from London and Edinburgh. The company was originally founded in 1837 by William Watson at 71 City Road, and the business continued at this address until 1861, when it moved to 313 High Holborn. In 1867, the name was changed to W. Watson & Son. In 1882, the name was changed to W. Watson & Sons. In 1900 the company acquired the John Browning and Co., and in 1908 the firm became W. Watson & Sons Ltd. In 1929 they published an advert in the British Industries Fair Catalogue as an Optical, Scientific and Photographic Exhibit, highlighting the manufacture of microscopes for medical, industrial, and educational purposes. Into the 1950s, the company changed their address to 25 West End Lane, Barnet, Hertfordshire, where they stayed until the late 1960s. In 1957 the company was acquired by Pye of Cambridge and ten years later, taken over by Philips. By 1970, the manufacture of microscopes was over.
 
The Microscope stands 24.5cm (9.65") high 28cm (11") when extended, and the case stands 28cm (11") high. This is a substantial item weighing 7.2kg (15.87lbs).